Chevrolet Caprice Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet Caprice model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2003 drew the fewest (1) and the 1994 the most (146).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Suspension | — | — |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 3 | Structure | — | — |
| 1997 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 1985 | 4 | 3 | Tires | — | 16–21 |
| 1990 | 6 | 1 | Seat belts | — | 15–20 |
| 2013 | 6 | 4 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 1984 | 7 | 1 | Power train | — | 15–21 |
| 1983 | 8 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
| 1988 | 12 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 14–20 |
| 2014 | 12 | 3 | Steering | — | — |
| 1987 | 17 | 2 | Power train | — | 15–19 |
| 1989 | 18 | 0 | Seat belts | — | 15–20 |
| 1986 | 30 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 14–19 |
| 1993 | 61 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 15–19 |
| 1996 | 65 | 4 | Suspension | — | — |
| 1995 | 88 | 7 | Suspension | — | — |
| 1992 Among the most complaints |
89 | 6 | Service brakes | — | 15–19 |
| 1991 Among the most complaints |
131 | 5 | Service brakes | — | 15–18 |
| 1994 Among the most complaints |
146 | 6 | Electrical system | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet Caprice years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
1994 Chevrolet Caprice: 146 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 32 (22%); Latches/locks/linkages 27 (18%); Service brakes 18 (12%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 8 fires, 7 injuries. 6 recall campaigns listed.
1991 Chevrolet Caprice: 131 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 32 (24%); Vehicle speed control 18 (14%); Electrical system 16 (12%).
Reports mention 24 crashes, 3 fires, 14 injuries. 5 recall campaigns listed.
1992 Chevrolet Caprice: 89 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 30 (34%); Electrical system 15 (17%); Air bags 14 (16%).
Reports mention 17 crashes, 1 fire, 21 injuries. 6 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet Caprice years with the fewest complaints
2011 Chevrolet Caprice: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 1 (100%); Suspension 1 (100%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
1997 Chevrolet Caprice: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (33%); Engine and engine cooling 1 (33%); Service brakes 1 (33%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet Caprice owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8,115 |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 65 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 59,000 |
| 1995 | 88 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 146 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 61 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 2 | — |
| 1992 | 89 | 17 | 1 | 21 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 131 | 24 | 3 | 14 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet Caprice recalls
- EQUIPMENT:SPEED CONTROL (1984–1988 model years; 1,755,897 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 1989; 89V102000)
- STRUCTURE:HOOD ASSEMBLY:LATCHES (1991–1992 model years; 224,588 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 1991; 91V186000)
- INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:BELTS (1991 model year; 219,571 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 1992; 92V094000)
- GM/SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:CONTROL ARM (1991–1996 model years; 154,214 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 1996; 96V020000)
- FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY:ATTACHMENTS (1994 model year; 130,581 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 1994; 94V210000)
All 29 Chevrolet Caprice recall campaigns · Chevrolet Caprice problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet Caprice years FAQ
Which Chevrolet Caprice year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2003 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet Caprice years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1994, 1991 and 1992 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet Caprice problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (131 of 705 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Caprice have?
NHTSA lists 29 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet Caprice. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet Caprice recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.